Korea Island Promotion Agency Holds the 2nd On-site Forum Visiting Islands

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A national policy research institute is attracting attention by directly visiting the field to strengthen communication and developing “practical policy” that solves the real problems of island residents.

The Korea Island Promotion Agency (Director Oh Dongho) announced on the 7th that it recently held the “2nd On-site Island Forum” at Byeongpungdo, Gijeom, and Soakdo in Jeungdo-myeon, Sinan, Jeollanam-do.

The “Island On-site Forum” was prepared to discover policies and promotion projects by communicating with island residents, island field activists, and island experts on site.

It is also a place to establish communication and cooperation channels with local government island policy departments.

Following last October, this second forum of the year was held at Gijeom and Soakdo in Jeungdo-myeon, Sinan, also known as the “Santiago Pilgrimage Trail of Korea.”

Gijeom and Soakdo are famous as healing tourist destinations, boasting beautiful scenery where 12 chapels and artistic architecture harmonize with the sea.

On that day, executives and employees of the Korea Island Promotion Agency explored the 12 Apostle Pilgrimage Trail of Gijeom and Soakdo using electric bicycles and visited a seaweed harvesting site to hold discussions with island residents.

One resident said, “The influx of young people is most important for the island to be revitalized and maintained,” adding, “However, the number of students is currently insufficient, and even the Soak Branch of Jeungdo Elementary School is at risk of disappearing, so childcare and education are the most urgent issues.”

In response, Oh Dongho, director of the Korea Island Promotion Agency, said, “There are numerous urgent issues regarding islands such as childcare and education,” adding, “We will collect the opinions of policy demanders and share various policy issues through the monthly or bi-monthly On-site Island Forums to establish a foundation for communication and cooperation.”

He continued, “This year will be the first year of substantial development and achievements, and we will strive to become a Korea Island Promotion Agency that not only conducts policy research but also communicates.”

Meanwhile, the Korea Island Promotion Agency, launched on October 8 last year, is an institution under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety responsible for island development nationwide, policy development, and research and investigation related to conservation and management. It is a national research institute responsible for island policies dispersed across government ministries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.